Healthy Animals, Healthy People

Introduction and Overview:

1. Purpose of this program:

The purpose of this program is to

learn how to keep ourselves and our

animals healthy. These materials will

be available for you to take and teach

to the youth in your organization.

1. Sequence of the lesson:

We will start with a presentation on

keeping ourselves and our animals

healthy through the prevention of

zoonotic diseases. Then we will break

in to small groups and do activities

for hands-on-learning of zoonotic

diseases and how they spread.

2. Encourage questions and conversation:

We are going to learn about zoonotic

diseases and how to keep ourselves

and our animals healthy. Don’t be

afraid to ask questions!

Healthy Animals, Healthy

People

This text accompanies a PowerPoint

presentation, “Healthy Animals,

Healthy People.” As you read the text,

there will be a note about which

PowerPoint slides relate to that

section of text.

Each slide includes a list of definitions

for new vocabulary.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be shared between animals and people. More than half of all infections that people get are zoonotic diseases. Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Maine CDC) Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program in collaboration with Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Maine DACF) designed this curriculum to educate youth involved in agriculture. This program provides education concerning One Health, zoonotic diseases, and biosecurity practices to keep ourselves and our animals healthy.

One Health

What is One Health? (slide 3)

The One Health concept recognizes

that the health of people is

connected to the health of animals

and the environment. The goal of

One Health is to achieve optimal

health for all three. This is

accomplished by working with

physicians, veterinarians, ecologists,

and many others to monitor and

control public health threats and to

learn about how diseases spread

among people, animals, and the

environment.

Vocabulary:

• Disease- An illness that affects a person, animal, or plant.

• Environment- The surroundings and conditions outside of the host that cause or allow diseases to be spread.

Zoonotic Diseases- Background

What are Zoonotic Diseases? (slide

4)

Zoonotic Diseases are illnesses that

can be spread between humans and

animals. These diseases are caused

by harmful germs, also known as

pathogens, like viruses, bacteria, and

parasites. These germs can cause

many different types of illness in

people and animals ranging from mild

to serious illness and even death.

Scientists estimate that more than 6

out of every 10 known infectious

diseases in people are spread from

animals. Each year, tens of thousands

of Americans will get sick from

zoonotic diseases.

Vocabulary:

• Pathogen- Germs that can cause illness.

• Viruses- A small germ that can cause illness and needs a living thing to spread. Some viruses can cause disease in humans, other animals, and plants.

• Bacteria- Single-celled germs that can be found everywhere. Some bacteria are harmless, some are useful, and others can cause infection.

• Parasites- Organisms that live in or on a different organism.

How Do Zoonotic Diseases Spread?

(slide 5)

The most common ways people can

get infected with the germs are

through direct contact, indirect

contact, vectors (vectorborne), and

food (foodborne).

Vocabulary:

• Direct contact - Contact with an infected human or animal, its tissues, or its fluids by way of open wounds, mucous membranes (such as the lining of the digestive, respiratory, or urinary tracts), or scraped skin.

• Indirect contact - Contact with areas where animals live and roam, or objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with pathogens. Examples include petting zoos, pet habitats, chicken coops, plants, and soil, as well as pet food and water dishes.

• Vector- A living thing that can spread an illness to others such as a tick, a mosquito, or a flea.

• Foodborne- When an illness is caused by germs found in food and drinks such as unpasteurized milk, undercooked meat or eggs, or

contaminated raw fruits and

vegetables

Why Do Zoonotic Diseases Matter?

(slide 6)

Many people interact with animals on

a regular basis and anyone can

become sick with a zoonotic disease.

Understanding zoonotic diseases can

help prevent you, your animals, and

other people from getting sick.

Enteric Zoonotic Diseases

Enteric Zoonotic Diseases:

Campylobacteriosis (slide 7)

Campylobacteriosis, also known as

“campy,” is an enteric disease caused

by Campylobacter bacteria. It is

commonly found in the gut of cattle,

poultry, and pigs. Infected animals, or

hosts, often appear healthy. People

can get campy from eating

undercooked food, contaminated

water, raw milk, and contact with

manure.

Vocabulary:

• Enteric Disease- Stomach illnesses caused by pathogens that enter the body through the mouth.

• Infected- When a person or animal has an agent such as bacteria or virus in the body.

• Host- A living animal or plant that provides food or shelter for another.

Enteric Zoonotic Diseases: E. coli

infection (slide 8)

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria

that commonly cause infection. Some

E. coli bacteria produce a toxin called

Shiga-toxin. These are known as

Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC).

Infection with STEC is often severe

and can result in death. E. coli

bacteria are commonly found in the

intestines of infected ruminants such

as cattle, goats, and sheep. Infected

animals often appear healthy but can

spread E. coli through their feces.

People can get infected with E. coli

from undercooked food,

contaminated water, raw milk, and

contact with manure.

Enteric Zoonotic Diseases:

Salmonellosis (slide 9)

Salmonellosis is a disease caused by

Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is

commonly found in the intestines of

chickens and livestock and on reptiles

and amphibians who appear healthy.

The bacteria can live in raw meat,

eggs, and milk from infected animals.

People should avoid consuming

contaminated food, contact with

manure, and wash their hands after

touching reptiles and amphibians.

Enteric Zoonotic Diseases: Ascariasis

(slide 10)

Ascariasis is a disease caused by a

roundworm parasite called Ascaris

lumbricoides. This parasite lives in the

intestines of pigs and spreads to

humans and other animals through

feces. Most infected pigs appear

healthy. Ascaris can spread through

manure and contaminated fruits and

vegetables. Ascariasis is common

world-wide but does not occur often

in the United States.

Enteric Zoonotic Diseases:

Cryptosporidiosis (slide 11)

Cryptosporidiosis, also known as

“crypto,” is a disease caused by the

Cryptosporidium parasite. Cattle are

the common host. Adult animals

often appear healthy; however, it

typically causes diarrhea in young

animals. People should avoid

contaminated food, contaminated

water, raw milk, and contact with

manure.

Signs in Animals (slide 12)

Animals infected with enteric

zoonotic diseases often have no sign

of illness. Even asymptomatic

animals can pass pathogens to people

and animals. Infection with some

enteric diseases, particularly

Cryptosporidium, can cause diarrhea

in young animals.

Vocabulary:

• Sign: Any feeling of illness that can be measured, such as fever.

• Asymptomatic: When a living thing does not show signs of illness.

How Can I Prevent These Diseases….

In Animals? (slide 13)

Keeping the animal environment

clean will prevent other animals from

being infected through indirect

contact. To prevent the spread of

diseases from one herd of animals to

another, avoid sharing equipment

and limit contact between herds.

Routine veterinary care, including

deworming for parasites like Ascaris,

is important for the overall health of

animals.

Signs and Symptoms in Humans

(slide 14)

Signs and symptoms of enteric

disease in people can include

diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain,

vomiting, dehydration, and fever.

These signs and symptoms can be

severe, especially in

immunocompromised people.

Vocabulary:

• Symptoms: Any feeling of illness such as a sore throat that cannot be measured.

• Immunocompromised: A person or animal with a weak immune system, making them more likely to get sick.

How Can I Prevent These Diseases….

In Humans? (slide 15)

Handwashing is an important step in

preventing diseases. Always wash

hands after handling raw meat,

manure, animals, things that have

touched animals (such as bedding),

and before eating. Produce can be

contaminated with pathogens and

should be washed before eating.

Always cook food thoroughly and do

not drink raw milk, as pathogens can

live in undercooked food and milk.

Handwashing

How Should I Wash My Hands? (slide

16)

Regular handwashing is one of the

best ways to avoid getting sick. To

reduce illness and the spread of

germs, follow these hand washing

steps:

1. Wet hands with clean running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap.

2. Lather hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

3. Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds. (Tip: this is the same amount of time as the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice)

4. Rinse hands well under clean, running water.

5. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Why Have I Not Gotten Sick? (slide

17)

In healthy people, symptoms of these

diseases can be mild. People can get

sick but do not always know why

unless they go to the doctor for

diagnostic testing. People who are

regularly exposed to these germs can

build up immunity to them. People

with immunity are less likely to show

symptoms of these diseases.

Vocabulary:

• Diagnostic tests: Tests performed to aid in the detection of a disease.

• Immunity: The natural ability of a human or animal to prevent illness.

Questions? (slide 18)

Influenza

What Is Influenza? (slide 19)

Influenza, also known as “the flu,” is

a respiratory disease caused by

influenza viruses. Influenza viruses

can infect many different animals,

but the most common hosts are

humans, pigs, and birds. Influenza

viruses can be spread by bodily fluid

so you should avoid direct and

indirect contact with infected animals

and people.

Vocabulary:

• Influenza- An illness of the lungs that can spread quickly to other humans or animals.

Why Is Influenza Concerning? (slide

20)

Influenza can be serious and even

deadly in humans and animals.

Influenza viruses regularly undergo

mutation. The changes due to

mutation make it hard to build

immunity against the virus and allow

the virus to infect different types of

hosts.

Vocabulary:

• Mutation- A change to the DNA or RNA.

How Does Influenza Mutate? (slide

21)

Wild birds can be infected with

influenza (avian influenza) then infect

poultry and pigs. Avian influenza can

then, rarely, infect humans. In pigs

(swine influenza), this virus can

undergo reassortment with avian and

human viruses, resulting in a new,

emerging influenza virus. Influenza

pandemics are a result of a

reassorted virus.

Vocabulary:

• Reassortment- Process in which two or more influenza viruses infect a single host and the viruses swap genetic materials to become new viruses.

• Emerging- A disease that appears in a population for the first time, or that previously existed but is rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range.

• Pandemic- An illness that spreads across the world.

Signs Of Influenza In Pigs (slide 22)

Signs of influenza in pigs can include

fever, lethargy, coughing (barking),

discharge from nose or eyes,

sneezing, breathing

difficulties, eye redness or

inflammation, diarrhea, and going off

feed. Some pigs infected with

influenza may show no signs of illness

at all.

Vocabulary:

• Lethargy- A lack of energy.

Signs Of Influenza In Poultry (slide

23)

Some influenza viruses cause mild or

no signs in poultry, while others

cause severe illness and death. Signs

of influenza in poultry include a

sudden increase in flock deaths,

decreased egg production, misshapen

eggs with soft thin shells, swelling

around the head neck and eyes,

purple comb, wattle, and legs,

sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and

difficulty breathing.

Vocabulary:

• Comb- The fleshy growth on top of the head of chickens and turkeys.

• Wattle- The fold of skin hanging from the neck or throat of chickens and turkeys.

What Do I Do If My Animal Is Sick?

(slide 24)

Animals that exhibit signs of illness

should be kept in isolation or

quarantine away from other animals.

Call your veterinarian if you have a

sick animal or animals.

Vocabulary:

• Isolation- Separation from others.

• Quarantine- Keeping sick animals away from healthy animals to avoid the spread of disease.

How Can I Prevent Influenza… In

Animals? (slide 25)

The spread of influenza can be

prevented by keeping the

environment of the animals clean and

well ventilated and by keeping

healthy animals away from sick

animals or sick people. Talk to a

veterinarian about the best way to

protect your herd or flock from

influenza.

Signs And Symptoms Of Influenza In

Humans (slide 26)

Influenza signs and symptoms usually

come on suddenly in people. People

with influenza often experience

fever, cough, sore throat, runny or

stuffy nose, muscle or body aches,

headaches, and fatigue (tiredness).

What Do I Do If I Am Sick? (slide 27)

If you have influenza, you should stay

at home, cover your cough and

sneeze, and avoid contact with

animals and people to limit the

spread of influenza. Though many

people ill with influenza do not

require medical attention, you should

contact your healthcare provider if

you are very sick or worried about

your illness.

How Can I Prevent Influenza… In

Humans? (slide 28)

The best way to prevent influenza is

by get an annual vaccine. Other ways

to prevent illness and the spread of

influenza include frequent

handwashing, staying at home when

sick, and avoiding contact with sick

people and sick animals.

Vocabulary:

• Vaccine- A shot given to prevent a specific disease.

Who Else Is At Risk For Getting Sick?

(slide 29)

People who visit animals, such as fair-

goers and farm visitors, are at risk for

zoonotic diseases. These diseases can

be particularly severe or deadly in

young children and those with

weakened immune systems. We want

to make sure everyone, including

ourselves and our animals, are safe

from disease.

Biosecurity

What Is Biosecurity? (slide 30)

Biosecurity is a set of steps to help

prevent the introduction and spread

of diseases. Biosecurity practices can

differ depending on the needs of the

farm or location, but all are done to

keep animals safe from the

introduction of new germs, help

minimize the spread of existing

germs, and help prevent germs from

spreading to or from humans and

animals.

Vocabulary:

• Biosecurity- Practices to prevent the spread of illness.

Biosecurity: What Can You Do? (slide

31)

Safe interactions between people and

animals is the key to preventing the

spread of disease. Encourage people

on the farm and at the fair to wash

their hands before and after handling

animals. Ask people to reduce

contact such as kissing the animals

and brining things in to barns that are

hard to wash, like strollers, or are put

in the mouth like pacifiers and food.

Keeping human eating areas away

from animal areas reduces the risk of

eating contaminated food.

Biosecurity: What Can You Do? (slide

32)

Posting signs around the farm or at

the fair is a good way to remind

yourself and others to practice

biosecurity.

Biosecurity: What Can You Do? (slide

33)

Visitors can carry germs to the farm

or fair on anything they bring in with

them, including clothes, boots, and

vehicles. To protect yourself and your

animals, remind visitors to wear clean

cloth and boots, stay out of the barn

if they are sick, and wash their hands

before and after visiting.

Biosecurity: What Can You Do? (slide

34)

There are additional measures you

can take to practice good biosecurity.

Avoid sharing equipment and

bringing sick animals to fairs to

reduce the spread of disease to

people and between herds. Keep a

clean, organized area for animals and

isolate animals who appear sick.

Careers in Public Health (slide 34)

Interested in this kind of work? There

are many aspects of public health.

Public health careers including

veterinary science, epidemiology,

environmental health, and much

more!

Additional Information and

Resources: (slide 36)